Pesky mosquitoes can be a real pain when you’re entertaining or relaxing outdoors. Luckily, there are lots of ways you can get rid of them, or at least keep them at bay while you enjoy your outdoor space. We’ll show you some of the best ways to keep mosquitoes away in this guide.
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Pesky mosquitoes can get into your home through even the smallest of holes. Replacing your door and window screens if they show signs of wear is a great way to stop mosquitoes and other bugs from getting into your home. You can buy easy-to-install kits for both fibreglass and aluminum window and door screens to make the job even easier.
Believe it or not, most mosquitoes are attracted to the air you exhale, or carbon dioxide. So, installing an indoor or outdoor ceiling fan is a great way to remove or disperse the carbon dioxide and deter mosquitoes from hanging around while you’re relaxing or entertaining.
Standing water in planters, old tires, random debris in your yard and other items is a great place for mosquito larvae to live and hatch. Eliminating these spots is crucial to avoiding a mosquito infestation in the summer months. Emptying any standing water you have around your yard ensures that they have nowhere to lay their eggs, helping to lessen the mosquito population in your yard area.
Planting marigold, lemongrass and lavender are all great, natural ways to repel mosquitoes. Catnip can also do the trick, as can mint and basil. It’s a win-win, as you’ll help repel the pests while adding colour and wonderful scents to your yard!
Bug sprays are one of the most common methods of warding off mosquitoes. They usually contain a repellant of some sort, which you apply to your skin to deter mosquitoes from landing and biting you. There are a few different types of repellants, so make sure you do your research and select the one that works best for you.
Citronella is an essential oil that comes from a type of lemongrass and is a good option for keeping mosquitoes away. It is concentrated to the area surrounding the candle or torch though, so you may need more than one if you’re trying to ward off the pests from a larger area.
Mosquito traps and zappers are some of the best mosquito repellants for your patio. Mosquito traps range from homemade ones like putting out a dish of soapy water – which attracts the mosquitoes and traps them in the bubbles – to using electricity to attract and then kill the pests. Electric zappers can be stationary or hand-held, allowing you to use them anywhere you need to. Always be careful when using these types of items as they can give you a bit of a shock as well if used incorrectly. Zappers can also kill other, harmless insects, so use them sparingly if possible.
If you’ve got standing water that contains mosquito larvae, you can easily take care of them using a special chemical treatment. These treatments can also be used on lawns, gardens and even plants, so be sure to consider them if your mosquito problem is especially bad.
